Jamaica is very popular for its beaches, weather, delightful music and fine food as we boast some of the top chefs in the Caribbean. The 2013 staging of the Best Dressed Chicken Taste of Jamaica Culinary Competition was recently held over two days at the Montego Bay Convention Centre; where chefs from Jamaican hotels and students participated in various categories. Couples Resorts Ocho Rios properties, Couples Sans Souci and Couples Tower Isle, were not to be left out, and after an incredible performance the previous year they proved again that they can only get better.

Chocolate Showpiece Competition - Silver Award for Couples Tower Isle

With over 18 categories in the competition, the team participated in the following:' Bartender of the Year', 'Junior Pastry Chef of the Year', 'Chocolate Showpiece Competition', 'Pastry Chef of the Year', Senior Chef of the Year 'Senior Team Competition', ‘Ice Carving’ and Cheese Cake Competition, with medals received in all. At the end of the competition, Couples resorts took home 13 medals in Gold, Silver and Bronze; with gold medals received in the areas of Ice Carving, Cheese Cake and Pastry.

The team event entailed the preparation and service of a three course meal, in which Couples Sans Souci took home the bronze. Their team consisted of Servers Vivian Panton and Euron Clarke, Bartender Bryan Angus, Chefs Marlon Mills and Andre Sanchez, and Pastry Chefs Teresa Clarke and Shekera Cassie. Here are the results from the individual competition:

Bryan Angus – Bronze – Beer Category

Romario Bailey – Gold – Junior Pastry Chef

Teresa Clarke Gold – Pastry Chef & Silver – Chocolate Showpiece

Shekera Cassie-Gold – Pastry Chef & Cheesecake Category

Couples Sans Souci Team Competition

Couples Tower Isle’s team professionally led by Errol Sewell, also reigned supreme with the following individual awards:

Linval Green, Regional Pastry Chef for both Ocho Rios resorts, expressed that not only were both resorts successful in the competition, but also his pastry team were the recipients of 10 of the 13 medals. He also noted that there are more great things to come in 2014.

Some members of the Couples Resorts Team with their medals
Couples Sans Souci and Couples Tower Isle